Policies+for+Maintaining+Ethical+Ministry+with+Minors+-+2023+FINAL - Flipbook - Page 9
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
counsel present for his meeting with the Brother Visitor.
The Brother Visitor will inform the Brother that the District will provide civil and canonical legal counsel, as long as the
Brother agrees to select counsel approved by the District.
The Brother Visitor will advise the Brother of the nature of the allegation.
The Brother Visitor will inform the Brother whether the allegation will be reported to civil authorities.
The Brother Visitor will discuss with the Brother the advisability of immediate psychological evaluation, and, if appropriate, psychological care. The Brother Visitor may not require the Brother to undergo evaluation or psychological
care.
The Brother Visitor will request that the Brother choose a support person and that the Brother inform the Brother
Visitor who this support person is.
3. Notification of Others
a.
b.
The Brother Visitor will communicate the allegation to the diocesan bishop where the alleged abuse took place and
where the Brother currently resides
i. when a report/allegation is received
ii. when an investigation is initiated
iii. when an investigation is complete
The Brother Visitor will communicate the allegation to the employer of the place where the alleged abuse took place
and where the Brother is currently employed.
4. Investigation and Determination
a.
When an allegation of sexual abuse is first received, regardless of whether the Brother is dead or no longer with the
District, the Brother Visitor or his designee will gather this initial information:
i. The name of the alleged victim
ii. The age of the alleged victim, both presently and at the time of the alleged abuse
iii. The contact information for the alleged victim
iv. The name of the alleged perpetrator
v. Approximate dates of the alleged abuse
vi. The nature and location of the alleged abuse;
vii. Information from files regarding the Brother concerning the present and past ministry, assignments, and residences of the Brother.
If the allegation is not found to be manifestly false or frivolous at the conclusion of the District’s initial investigation, the Brother Visitor will ensure that the Brother has no access to minors until a full investigation is
completed.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
If the Brother denies the allegation or aspects of the allegation, then the allegation will be investigated to the extent
possible, even if the allegation is anonymous. The Brother Visitor will authorize the hiring of an independent trained investigator who will gather information regarding the allegations. The investigation should commence within 30 days
of the initial allegation.
When the investigator has completed his or her investigation, he or she will make a confidential written report.
The Brother Visitor will forward the following information to the Review Board within 30 days in each of the following
cases
i. The original report or allegation which was submitted to the District
ii. The final report from the investigation
iii. Any other allegations involving the Brother
iv. Any relevant disciplinary actions taken with regard to the Brother with an explanation of the reasons for such
disciplinary actions.
The District will cooperate with authorized state and federal civil authorities in their investigation of allegations of
sexual abuse of minors involving a Brother. If the matter has been turned over to the civil authorities and they assume
conduct of the investigation, the District’s independent investigation will be suspended pending the outcome of the
civil or criminal investigation, unless after consultation with civil authorities it is determined that the continuation of
the District’s independent investigation will not impede the civil or criminal investigation and the civil authorities do
not object to the continuation of the independent investigation.
Throughout any investigation and response, the District will ensure that the rights of all involved are protected.
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